Held together by small things.

It had been a long day of flying from one airport to another, and I was exhausted but excited!

My stomach was hungry, my eyes dry, yet there remained a hum in my system, that sensation of being in transit, one final stop, near final destination. 

After all these years, airports are still one of my favorite places for people-watching. There's something so magical about that!! It's a reminder of how alive I am and how big and diverse this world is—a world filled with energy and stories waiting to be told. Those Small and shared moments reminded me of our humanity, moments that no technology can replicate. 

You catch snippets of languages all around. Some familiar, some completely foreign, but all filled with emotion.

“不要跑!”

“坐喺度”

What's for lunch?

Mana pintu kapal? Malay is my first language, but I’m kinda losing it. I'm not joking; I had to rely on Google Translate! Lol

“それはいいですか“

These aren’t just random phrases, they're glimpses into someone’s life. It reminded me that although we speak different languages, dress in unique styles, and embrace our customs, we’re all doing the same things. We eat, depart, arrive, take care of our kids, ask questions, and live our lives.

With five hours to spare before my last flight, I explored the busy terminal. I walked past passengers stuck on their screens. Some were balled up around backpacks attempting to nap. Children zipped by on scooters as if on their driveways at home.

In the distant background, babies wailed, while parents rocked them patiently, pacing with a blend of love and hope. Some faces radiated joy, others showed resolve, and a few bravely fought off tears. Others remained motionless, like myself, quietly observed, quietly appreciated the moment, and took it all in.

Each individual here is a story, a complete novel I'll never have the chance to read. We're all strangers going through the motions, inhabiting this space for a brief moment in time. Yet we're linked by something more profound.

As I continued to walk, I stumbled upon an enormous glass piggy bank. I initially assumed it was a piece of art. But inside were wadded-up bills and coins from all over the globe, inserted by travelers who were going from one gate to another. These were silent contributions, acts of kindness by strangers who would never know the individuals they were assisting. There was no stage, no announcements, simply silent kindness.

That’s when I truly felt it, the power of unity. We might be from different locations. We might not even share a language. But we look out for one another in small, subtle ways, even in airports.

That piggy bank wasn't only about the money. It was a symbol, a reminder that we can make something powerful when we decide to stand together, no matter how different we are.

It gave me pause. Perhaps what the world could use more of isn't grand, sweeping gestures but tiny, authentic moments of human connection. A smile. A laugh, A big, warm bear hug. A fistful of bills in a glass jar. The silent wish that even in a loud, busy terminal, we are not by ourselves.

So yes, I'm still hungry. Still tired. Still waiting. But I’m also full. Because today, I witnessed something real. Something deeply human. Please, hold onto your humanity and cherish the essence of being human.

Today, I saw the best of us, in passing glances, in outstretched hands, in a glass piggy bank of intangible charity, so if you ever find yourself stranded in transit, look up. Look around.There's still so much goodness in this world.

Keep it. Hold onto your humanity.

And don't forget to smile at a stranger, you could be the star of their favorite story.

*Note: Blogging from my phone wasn't the easiest experience! I appreciate your understanding if you come across any grammatical errors. :)